Hey Guys! Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the off-season has been taking about Hayne, team lists and possible signings. I'm just going to write a blog about how Eels can and will win a premiership
1. The Spine
Coming into last year the main question about the Eels is how our spine would go. French, Guth, Norman and Pritchard was a really weak spine with a great squad around them. This year, the spine is the least concern. Gutherson, Norman, Moses and King is a combination that powered Eels to a top 4 finish. Yes, King is injury prone, but W. Smith and Pritchard plus juniors can cover if needed. Gutho also has 2 quality players in Bevan and Hayne that can fill in due to injury. With a whole off-season to combine this spine should be even stronger
2. Depth
BA has set up a quality squad that has ample depth. The amount of differences and debate when team-lists are put up shows that. We have numerous juniors coming through and we have signed Tony Williams and Kane Evans with no major losses in the forwards. Williams is a low-risk, high-reward player. He could sit in Wenty for a year, or come back and pound defences, and provides even more depth if someone gets injured. We also have fantastic depth in the backs. Taka is rumoured to make way for Hayne, Hoffman seems to be a forgotten man. Greg L. (can't spell his last name) also has come up from under 20s
3. The Forwards
Eels have a pack full of no-names. Thats a fact of Parramatta. But, every single player gives their all for the team. Nathan Brown had a fantastic season, and if he can come close it would do wonders for Parramatta. Kane Evans adds size to a pack lacking in it. If Tepai Moeroa can continue to grow with Moses we will be in for a fantastic time on the right edge next season. We also have a fantastic bench for next year. Kenny Edwards adds spark, Vave has size, Scott can organise a defence. The bench in 2017 was really solid, and it should be even better in 2018
4. The Culture
Not one player doesn't like Parramatta. From all accounts the culture among the squad is great, the players love having BA as a coach. Everyone was playing for each other last year, with the passion from every player showing on the field. This will almost certainly help us in 2018
5. Finals experience
The Finals last year was an absolute disaster, but the experience it gives the squad towards the back-end of the season. For us to know what it is like when the pressure is on surely will make the team more determined to make amends next year
Obviously many things can happen in a season, and many things I haven't listed. We also have unanswered questions like how we replace Semi, but I do believe for the first time in ages, Eels have hope for a premiership
Replies
Depth??? We have no back up hooker. If King get's injured we're screwed. If you don't believe that look back to last season where we were on the table when Pritchard was hooker... then look where we ended up with King as hooker.
Thats fair. Every other position has at least another fierce contender though
He has ability and guts but his inexperience and poor judgement just about single handedly lost the /20's GF this year.
Ray Stone will be the player to watch coming out of that side and he has a build that would be perfect for a hooker.....he could be anything just lacking a bit in size for the second row.
In saying that I have no idea if he has any experience as a dummy half but he reminds me of a young Ray Price.....which is a helleva tag to put on any young player.
Its interesting now that with the hooker taking a middle forward role or a third prop if you like the balance of where a young lock plays is difficult as you are coming into grade.
A young Johnny Raper would play 5/8.....Ron Coote second row, Brad Clyde could play the modern lock, Wayne Pearce maybe a second row. Ray Price .....who knows....possibly the current lock position.
I suppose what I am saying is you once had 3 back rowers, now you have 2 and a hooker that plays like a half and a lock that plays like a front rower..
also many of kings game were after semis court hearing and semis performances went from lack luster to amazing.
only problem is will hayne be there for season or will he get a better offer, again. and will his odd brilliant play be wiped out by dumb plays and needless penalties. could of spent $500,000 a lot more wisely.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next